German NADA celebrates 10th anniversary

WADA Director, European Regional Office and International Federations Relations, Mr. Frédéric Donzé, attended a ceremony in Bonn on Wednesday to celebrate the German National Anti-Doping Agency’s (NADA) 10th anniversary.

Mr. Donzé joined founding members of NADA and current members of its management and governing bodies at the ceremony in the Old Bonn Town Hall to recognize the anti-doping achievements of the Agency over the last decade.

NADA Chairwoman Dr. Andrea Gotzmann also welcomed Dr. Michael Vesper, Director General of the German Sports Confederation, Mr. Gerhard Böhm, Head of Department of the German Sports Ministry, as well as representatives from public authorities, other National Anti-Doping Organizations and the International Paralympic Committee.

"Celebrating 10 years of the NADA Germany may be just a brief moment in the history of the sport, but it is a very important step for clean and fair sport," Dr. Gotzmann said during her address.

Mr. Donze thanked the NADA for its contribution to the fight against doping in sport and stressed the need for proper anti-doping resources at a national level.

“NADA reaching a decade of service to German and international sport is an important milestone and one that deserves recognition and gratitude,” Mr. Donzé said on behalf of WADA President John Fahey.

“WADA and the global anti-doping community rely heavily on the work and support of National Anti-Doping Agencies around the world to protect clean athletes and the integrity of sport in their respective countries.

“In this regard, it is crucial that organizations that run the testing and education programs, as well as other anti-doping activities on a national basis, be given proper resources and proper domestic support by those that provide the foundations for this work.

“This includes of course proper funding, but also proper political support and proper legislative framework enabling, for example, the national anti-doping agency to receive and share information with law enforcement bodies.

“WADA enjoys a close relationship with NADA, and we hope this good collaboration will continue to develop through mutual support, sharing of experience and expertise.”